Liberal Studies Core Courses

The heart of the Liberal Studies curriculum is a carefully-structured sequence of core courses that immerse students in the arts and humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The core courses follow the development of these knowledge areas from ancient times to the present. A particular emphasis is placed on the interconnections among the disciplines, a central hallmark of the Liberal Studies curriculum. In LBST 300 and 301 students are introduced to the interdisciplinary framework of the Liberal Studies major, following which they examine the historical processes of the humanities and arts, the sciences, and the social sciences in LBST 302A/B. Next, they critically explore the nature and implications of current developments in these fields by taking LBST 303, 304, and 305, as well as one of the interdisciplinary studies courses LBST 310, 315, 322, 323, 330, 331, 333, 335, 337, 340, and 341. As their culminating experience, students learn about the generation of knowledge in LBST 401 and deepen their understanding in a particular field of by taking one of the senior seminars LBST 485, 486, 487, 489, 490, 491, and 492.

COURSES AND CATALOG DESCRIPTIONS

LBST 300 - Introduction to Liberal Studies (3)The natural world as theme, introductory exploration of values and modes of inquiry and expression in the arts and humanities, natural and social sciences.Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category A

LBST 301 – Inquiry and Composition in Liberal Studies (3)Selected thematic interconnections between the arts and humanities, sciences and social sciences through reading, discussion and composition. Satisfies the upper-division writing course requirement for majors in Liberal Studies. Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category A.

LBST 302A - Historical Dimension of Liberal Studies (3)Origins and development of modes of thought and forms of expression in the three core areas of liberal studies, i.e., the natural sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities. Pre- or corequisite: LBST 300; completion of G.E. Category A.

LBST 302B - Historical Dimension of Liberal Studies (3)Origins and development of modes of thought and forms of expression in the three core areas of liberal studies, i.e., the natural sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities. Prerequisite: LBST 302A with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better.

LBST 303 - Liberal Studies in the Humanities and Arts (3)Interdisciplinary approach to the humanities and arts that examines their purposes, structures and major developments since 1900. Prerequisites: MUS 101, LBST 301, LBST 302B, completion of G.E. Category C.2.

LBST 304 - Liberal Studies in the Sciences (3)Interdisciplinary introduction to the character and aims of 20th-century science, current theories and knowledge, and the role of science and technology in contemporary society. Prerequisites: HIST 302B, LBST 301, completion of G.E. Categories B.4. and B.1 or B.2.

LBST 305 - Liberal Studies in the Social Sciences (3)Interdisciplinary introduction to modern social science in which major thinkers, ideas, movements and problems will be approached historically, comparatively and analytically. Prerequisites: HIST 302B, LBST 301, completion of G.E. Category D.1.

LBST 310 - The California Experience (3)Seven themes in California studies. Explores the California experience through readings, films and music, and three writing assignments that ask them to research one topic each in the arts/humanities, social sciences and natural sciences in California. (HIST 310 and LBST 310 are the same course.) Prerequisite: completion of G. E. Category D.1.

LBST 315 - A European Tour (3)Interdisciplinary introduction to the development of European civilization in the pre-modern period through an examination of select sites. The geographical and environmental context, the peopling of Europe and the evolution of cultural, political, economic and religious ideas and institutions. (EUST 315, HIST 315, and LBST 315 are the same course.) Prerequisite: Completion of G.E. Category D.1.

LBST 322 - Cross-Cultural Social Thought (3)Interdisciplinary exploration of the variety of cultural and historical approaches to enduring questions of social life, organization, and cooperation. The differences, as well as interactions, between these approaches. Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category D.1.

LBST 323 - Cross-Cultural Humanities (3)Interdisciplinary exploration of the humanities through a series of questions humans have raised across cultures and historical periods. The commonalities of human concerns and the diversity and uniqueness of the answers given to them. Prerequisites: completion of G.E. Categories C.1, C.2.

LBST 330 - History of Early Science and Technology (3)Science and technology in the development of human culture, especially the interactions among science, technology and society in ancient Greece and China, medieval and Renaissance Europe, and Islam. (HIST 330 and LBST 330 are the same course.) Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Categories B.1, B.2.

LBST 331 - History of Science: Copernicus to the Present (3)Science from the 16th century to the present, especially the scientific revolutions of the 17th and 20th centuries and the interaction between science, technology and culture. (HIST 331 and LBST 331 are the same course.) Prerequisites: completion of G.E. Category B.1 or B.2.

LBST 333 - Evolution and Creation (3)Interdisciplinary study of evolutionary biology’s impact on culture in context of religious doctrines of creation. Evolutionary theory and religious and philosophical reactions from Darwin to the present, including relevant educational and legal contexts. One or more sections may be offered in any online format. (PHIL 333 and LBST 333 are the same course.) Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category B.2, C.2.

LBST 335 - Science on the Silver Screen (3)Representations of science and scientists in film. Themes include images of scientists, the relationship between science and society, depictions of scientific personalities, and the emotional lives of scientists. Prerequisites: completion of G.E. Category C.2.

LBST 337 - Science, Technology, and Society (3)Interdisciplinary examination of the relationships between science, technology, and social institutions and structures. Emphasis on developing and maintaining scientific literacy, understanding personal and public risk assessment, and participating in civic discussions of science policy. Prerequisite: Completion of G.E. Category B.1 and B.2.

LBST 340 - Food in the Social Sciences (3)Interdisciplinary exploration of the study of food in the social sciences. The meanings of food in the construction of society and culture across time and space. One or more sections may be offered in any online format. Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category D.1.

LBST 341 - Ancient Eats: Food & Foodways in the Ancient World (3)Food in the Roman Empire and elsewhere in the ancient world. Farming, sustainability, trade, purchasing, processing, production, ingredients, terroir, recipes, tools, the place and function of feasts, and food in myth, cult and philosophy Prerequisite: completion of G.E. category C.2.

LBST 401 - Knowledge in the Arts and Sciences (3)Philosophical analysis and comparison of how the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the arts and humanities apply epistemological or aesthetic criteria to assess scientific and artistic activities. Evolution of these criteria in their social and ideological context. (LBST 401 and PHIL 401 are the same course.) Prerequisites: LBST 304; LBST 303 or LBST 305

LBST 487 - Senior Seminar in Evolution and Creation (3)Interdisciplinary examination of the relationship between evolutionary biology and the theology of divine creation. Traces the development of both perspectives from the pre-Darwinian period to the modern era. Critical reading of texts. Student-led discussions. Prerequisites: senior standing, LBST 301, HIST 302B

LBST 491 - Senior Seminar in Literature and Sciences (3)Interdisciplinary examination of the relationships between literary and scientific communities, and of literature as a forum for the critique, appraisal and assessment of science in culture. Prerequisites: senior standing, LBST 301, HIST 302B.

LBST 492 - Senior Seminar in The History of the Information Machine (3)Computing technologies from the early modern period to the present in social and historical context. How to develop research projects exploring the interdependence and interaction between information, society and knowledge. Prerequisites: LBST 301, LBST 302B.

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